The conference will be held in the Science Centre and Lord Ashcroft building on ARU's Cambridge campus. Find out more about travelling to our Cambridge campus and short-term accommodation on campus and in the local area, and download a campus map (PDF).
Jump to: Spaces to recharge | Recommended pubs | Things to do in Cambridge
Tucked away behind Mill Road, this historic Victorian cemetery has become a tranquil green haven. With winding paths, wildflowers, and mature trees, it’s an ideal place for a quiet stroll, reflection, or gentle conversation away from the conference buzz. Mill Road Cemetery is directly adjacent to ARU campus, exit towards Collier Road.
Mill Road is known for its independent cafés and welcoming atmosphere. Some great spots to pause for a coffee or a quiet conversation are Hot Numbers Coffee (Gwydir Street, 10-minute walk from ARU), Noshe coffeehouse and Afghan restaurant (Mill Road, 5-minute walk from ARU), 5 Blends coffee house (Mill Road, 6-minute walk from ARU), and many more.
If you prefer open skies and fresh air, Parker’s Piece is a large, central green space perfect for stepping away and resetting. It’s ideal for sitting on the grass, taking a short walk, or having an informal conversation. Leave ARU towards the main entrance (East Road) and head towards Parkside/Regent street (5-10 minute walk).
Cambridge offers a wide range of excellent pubs/bars, many of which are within easy walking distance of the conference venue. To help make it easier to meet fellow attendees, we are recommending a small number of pubs where we expect conference participants to gather. Of course, you are very welcome to explore the many other great options the city has to offer.
A much-loved, traditional pub with a relaxed atmosphere, The Cambridge Blue is especially well known for its extensive selection of real ales and ciders. It’s a slightly quieter option, away from the busiest central streets, and offers a good space for informal conversations. A great choice if you’re looking for a more laid-back setting to connect with others.
The Tram Depot is one of the closest options to ARU, making it particularly convenient after a day at the conference. It has a friendly, informal feel, a good range of drinks, and plenty of space – ideal for group meet-ups with fellow attendees.
One of Cambridge’s most famous pubs, The Eagle combines history, linked to Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA, with a lively atmosphere. Located in the city centre and still within walking distance of ARU, it’s a popular and slightly busier venue, making it a good spot if you enjoy a more vibrant social setting and want to meet a wider range of people.
Cambridge is renowned for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Find out more about Cambridge's highlights.
Three small zoos are within easy reach of Cambridge by car: Shepreth Wildlife Park (15 minutes, and also accessible by train), Banham Zoo (60 minutes) and Whipsnade Zoo (60 minutes). Colchester Zoo is slightly further afield (90 minutes).
Several areas of natural beauty are within easy reach from Cambridge by car. Wicken Fen Nature Reserve (30 minutes) is The National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and home to herds of Konik ponies, highland cattle, hen and marsh harriers, and short-eared owls. RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes (25 minutes and also accessible by the Guided Busway) is a former quarry converted to wetland, and features a variety of waterfowl and otters. Wandlebury Country Park (15 minutes) comprises chalk grassland and mature woodland and features highland cattle, foxes, roe deer, and several bat species.
There are several excellent museums in central Cambridge, as well as the University of Cambridge Botanical Gardens. These are all easy to reach on foot, and all except the Botanical Gardens are free to visit.
The Museum of Zoology is one of Cambridge's major attractions. Its historic galleries showcase the diversity of animal life. Collections and letters from various collectors are on display, including material collected by Darwin on his voyage of HMS Beagle. A 21m fin whale skeleton is displayed at the entrance of the museum.
The Fitzwilliam Museum is an art and antiquities museum that was founded in 1816 and comprises one of the best collections of antiquities and modern art in western Europe. With over half a million objects and artworks in its collections, the displays in the museum explore world history and art from antiquity to the present. The treasures of the museum include artworks by Monet, Picasso, Rubens, Vincent van Gogh, Renoir, Rembrandt, and Cézanne.
The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology houses Cambridge University's collections of local antiquities, together with archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world.
The The Scott Polar Research Institute is a centre for research into the polar regions and glaciology worldwide. The museum was founded in 1920 as the national memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions, who died on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912.
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is the geology museum of the University of Cambridge. The Sedgwick has a collection of around 2 million rocks, minerals and fossils, spanning a period of 4.5 billion years. The 'Beagle' Collection comprises approximately 2000 rocks and a few fossils collected by Charles Darwin during his voyage around the world on HMS Beagle between 1831 and 1836.
The Botanical Gardens cover an area of 16 hectares in the heart of Cambridge. The site is almost entirely on level ground and in addition to its scientific value, the garden is highly rated by gardening enthusiasts. It holds a plant collection of over 8,000 plant species from all over the world to facilitate teaching and research. The garden was created for the University of Cambridge in 1831 by Professor John Stevens Henslow (Charles Darwin's mentor) and was opened to the public in 1846. In addition to the gardens, there are a range of glasshouses, each themed to highlight plant adaptations, habitats and associations in a diversity of environments (e.g. tropical wetlands, oceanic islands, and arid desert). Entry costs £8.60.
You can find out more about travel, accommodation, and local attractions on the Visit Cambridge website.